General Audition Information

Note: To complete the audition form, you must login/register. The link to the form will appear only to registered members.

Three times a year, Theatre Alliance holds “MEGA-AUDITIONS” (auditions for several shows at a time). MEGA-AUDITIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED VIA TWITTER, FACEBOOK, AND ON THIS WEBSITE (THE FRONT PAGE).  IF YOU DON’T SEE AUDITION NOTICES ANY OF THOSE PLACES, WE’RE NOT HAVING AUDITIONS RIGHT NOW.  

Theatre Alliance welcomes everyone to audition for a show. No experience necessary. If you’ve never “done” theatre before, that’s OK. It’s all a learning experience. Come join us.

We also welcome new faces and encourage non-discriminatory casting, regardless of race, creed, religion, gender, orientation, or physical/mental challenges. It’s a diverse world; let’s have a diverse stage!

Theatre Alliance is a volunteer entity, so no roles receive compensation.

Theatre Alliance gives first preference to auditionees who support our existence, whether working backstage, working behind the scenes, or sitting in our audiences.

HOW WE AUDITION

We typically hold mega-auditions on a Saturday, starting at 8 or 9 am. Callbacks, if any, are usually in the afternoon. If call-backs are held and you do not receive one, it doesn’t mean that you weren’t cast. The call-back is designed so that the director may fill roles that he or she is unsure of. It could mean that he or she is 100% sure of the role you’re right for!

Theatre Alliance auditions are a little chaotic, but fun. We have dancing, singing, and reading — all at the same time! Don’t worry. If you’re not sure where to go, just ask one of the people you met as you came in the door.

Prior to auditions, we ask that you register on our website and complete an online audition sheet. This helps us get to know you and what shows and parts you are interested in. This speeds up the audition process immensely.

We also ask that you sign up for a time slot for the reading portion of the audition. You will do a cold reading. There is no need to prepare a monologue.

If you are audition for a musical, you may be asked to sing if you have not sung in one of our recent shows. You will need to come prepared to sing, from memory, preferably a musical theatre song. Please bring the sheet music with you in the appropriate key. An accompanist will be provided, but cannot transpose the music you bring. You may bring a CD or tape containing accompaniment if you wish. This recording, however, must not contain any vocals. A player will be provided.

If you audition for a musical, you may be requested to learn a short dance sequence. You will be put into small groups to learn this number, and then will be asked to perform it for the director and staff. For this reason, please wear comfortable shoes and clothing; something you can move in. Let us know if you can tap on the audition form.

The audition form will give the times for learning the dance (if you’re auditioning for a musical) and for singing (if you’re auditioning for a musical) and any other information about the schedule. Keep in mind that depending upon the number of people auditioning, you may do the dancing first, then singing, then reading. Or some other order.

Sometimes we change up the audition schedule (for example, we may not ask you sing for us if you have performed with us in the past three years). So when you sign up on the audition form, read the information closely.

Offered a role? What next?

After the audition and call-backs, the wait is on! Usually in one to three days, the director has made the casting decision and is ready to announce the cast. You will typically be contacted by phone or email, asking if you accept the role.

If you are not cast, please note that there are many people who audition. We would love to be able to offer everyone the roles that they want, but there just aren’t that many roles available. Note that the casting decision is entirely left to the director, and how he or she views the show. It could be that you are right for a part, but the director has a different vision for the show with something else in mind. Please know that we appreciate your time and talent and would love for you to still be a part of our theatre family; maybe this time backstage, next time onstage!

Casting decisions will be posted on the Theatre Alliance website: www.theatrealliance.ws.  Follow the directions there to accept or to decline your role(s) offered. This will entail sending Jamie an e-mail at thissideofoz@triad.rr.com.

If you have not accepted your role within three days of notification, it will be assumed you declined the role(s) offered.

Cast members should receive information regarding the first rehearsal. Please make note of it and arrive at the rehearsal space, ready to go!

We typically rehearse Mondays through Thursdays, from 7-10 PM. Sometimes we deviate, circumstantially, which may include weekends.
When cast in a Theatre Alliance production, the performer is expected to assist with set construction, Load-In, and Strike, in addition to attending all scheduled rehearsals.

Please do not audition if you anticipate auditioning for ANY other community theatre shows or professional theatrical jobs that will require you to drop out of a TA show while it is in rehearsal or miss an abundance of rehearsals. If this happens, you will likely not be cast in another TA production for one calendar year. We hold auditions well in advance so that you may plan accordingly. We ask that you not waste our time or yours. “Life Emergencies” are different and will be treated as such.

If you are cast in any show and anticipate needing to drop-out, it is crucial that you notify Jamie immediately, no matter how far into the future the show you are cast in is scheduled.

If you are cast in a show, you must agree to our social media policy — i.e., you agree to portray Theatre Alliance in a positive light with any posts to social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, while engaged in our productions. Consider how what you are communicating could affect our image before you post, please! (That’s probably a good idea for ANYTHING you post about)

All rehearsals are CLOSED to others not involved with a production. The director must be consulted before inviting anyone other than a cast or crew member. No exceptions.

AUDITION TIPS

A little on audition etiquette first, please…

When all else fails, common politeness and courtesy goes a long way. Use it.

Please remain as quiet as possible while waiting for your turn to audition. Others need to focus and prepare as well.

Don’t make excuses for a lackluster audition. If you have reasons why you will not be 100%, list them on your audition sheet somewhere. It looks better if the director knows up front that you’re having difficulties (cold, hurt knee, etc.) instead of waiting for you to make excuses as to why you didn’t do well. Just do your best and make no apologies. This shows the director that you’re confident of your abilities.

Are you right for a certain part? Sometimes we have problems with our self image. We may see ourselves one way when the rest of the world has a different view. If you are unsure whether or not you’d fit a particular role, ask your friends. They can be the best judges. If you still aren’t sure, audition for the role anyway! Who knows, the director may be trying something different in the role, and you’re just what he or she has been looking for! Let the director decide.

When you’re doing the reading audition, of course, you will want to show the director that you can work with others. Listen to those you are reading with and respond to what they are saying. The director is not only looking to see if you can read the script and act a part, he or she wants to see how well you work with other actors.

During the readings, whether at the audition or during call-backs, if you wish to read for a certain role, and the director has not asked you to do so, please speak up. We are all human and make mistakes. With the number of people auditioning, it is easy to overlook something. Don’t resign yourself to not reading for that role. Let the director know that you want to read for that role and haven’t been asked to yet. Not saying anything will be taken as a sign that you were OK with not reading for a particular role. Don’t let others’ oversight cost you a role. SPEAK UP!!

Take chances, but with conviction. Whether singing or reading, make a commitment to a style or character. But have conviction. It shows the director that you’ve made a conscious effort to interpret a song or develop a particular character. Don’t be surprised if the director asks you to redo a part of your audition a different way. It simply means that he or she saw something in you, and wants to see if you can take direction well.

Don’t make derogatory comments about the audition process or the staff to ANYONE. If word gets back to the director or staff that you are making such comments, it may effect your ability to be cast. No one wants to work with a Naysayer or Gloomy Gus! Be positive!